Tummy Tuck Scar - Is It Similar to C-Section Scar?

Doctor Answers (21)

Tummy Tuck Scar Location

December 12th, 2010

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A tummy tuck scar generally is placed in your waist line crease. Where is this crease? Bend or flex at your waist and you'll see a crease line below your excess skin and fat. Usually, the scar will be placed there or lower depending on your anatomy. Also, usually, the c section scar is removed and replaced with a better looking scar. The length of your scar will depend on the amount of excess skin you have extending to your waist. To help smooth out the waist contour so you do not have "dog ears" of excess skin at your waist, your surgeon may add liposuction to your waist and or extend your scar to the waist (extended tummy tuck). Remember, the basic principle applies to all tummy tuck procedures - you must accept some degree of scar to achieve that better form. Fortunately that scar will be placed as low as possible to get your bikini ready.

Tummy Tuck and C-Section Scar

Generally, the tummy tuck incision will be placed to cut out the old C-section scar. This seems to be the case for you, based on your photograph.

Because the tummy tuck pulls on the tummy skin so tightly, the scar may end up at the same height, lower, or higher than the current height of your C-section scar. The elasticity of your tissues and the amount of tension in the skin will affect where the scar "settles in." Plastic surgeons try to take this into account in the planning of the incision to get a final result with a scar low enough to be covered by under garments or swimsuit.

Review this with your plastic surgeon who can give you an estimation of the final position of the scar.

TUMMY TUCK SCAR SIMILAR TO C-SECTIN SAR?

September 17th, 2011

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No. The C-section scar is HIGHER and has no value for aesthetics. Your c-section incision is immaterial to your ultimate result for your abdominoplasty ( tummy tuck) . The scar would be MUCH LOWER, like just before your pubic area. You will look much better with repair of your muscles and removal of your excess skin. Hip to hip scar is RELATIVELY immaterial.

Tummy Tuck scar placements are unique

December 19th, 2010

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The scar for a Tummy Tuck is positioned slightly different for each patient depending on the anatomy and your specific needs. As undergarment and bathing suit styles and preferences have changed, the optimal location for a discreet tummy tuck scar has also changed. The goal is to place the scar where it is most likely to heal well, where it will not restrict too many clothing options and to be as short as possible.

There is some similarity with a "C-section" scar in that the scar is horizontal and is usually below most garment lines. The tummy tuck scar needs to be longer and will extend out toward your hips and sometimes beyond if there is more laxity present. The longer scar is required to achieve a smooth tailoring of the redundant skin as the tissue is stretched downward. Your surgeon should be able to show you approximately where your scar will be positioned and about how long it will be. For patients that already have a C-section scar, it is often possible to incorporate this scar into the tissue that is discarded during a tummy tuck.

Having a tummy tuck requires you to be comfortable with the scar on your lower abdomen in exchange for removing many of your stretch marks and loose skin.

Keep tummy tuck scars as low as possible

December 13th, 2010

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It is important to place the tummy tuck scar as low as possible. This makes the scar easier to conceal, especially in a bikini. Bringing your favorite bathing suit or underwear to show your surgeon can help assure the scar is placed in the right place. Unlike a c-section scar, tummy tuck scars are typically longer and this must be adjusted as necessary to keep it hidden.

Tummy tuck scar

December 12th, 2010

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The tummy tuck incision will excise your old c-section scar and replace it. You appear to have healed well from your c-section scar, so, it may be assumed that you will heal well from your tummy tuck scar. The tummy tuck scar is generally longer and may run nearly from hip to hip, but the results are generally dramatic. Abdominoplasty is one of the highest satisfaction surgeries in all of plastic surgery.

Tummy tuck scar location

December 11th, 2010

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Dear brandiejm,

Your tummy tuck incision would be made at a level slightly below you C-S scar so that the C-S scar would be removed. The scar may end up slightly higher than your C-S scar, because the effect of the tummy tummy tuck pulls the upper tissues downwards, but also pulls the mons pubis skin up (usually only slightly). The bottom line is that the tummy tuck scar will still be quite low, and certainly lower than the bikini line.

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as
a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you
have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute
or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.